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Lot 414

A Rare English Or Lowland Scottish Basket-Hilted Backsword
Late 16th/Early 17th Century

Antique Arms & Armour

1 December 2009, 14:00 GMT

London, Knightsbridge

Sold for £3,360 inc. premium

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A Rare English Or Lowland Scottish Basket-Hilted Backsword
Late 16th/Early 17th Century

With tapering fullered blade double-edged towards the point, iron guard of slender rectangular bars involving two diamond-shaped saltires on each side, two rounded solid plates at the front and four beneath, single upturned quillon at the front, later conical pommel with button, and later fishskin-covered grip spirally-bound with twisted copper wire, in later black leather-covered wooden scabbard (some rust patination overall)
86.9 cm. blade

Footnotes

For a discussion of guards of this type see Claude Blair, The Early Basket-Hilt in Britain, Scottish Weapons and Fortifications 1100-1800, D.H. Caldwell (ed.), Edinburgh, 1981, pp. 221-227, figs. 124-5 and 128; and G.M. Wilson, 'Notes on Some Early Basket-Hilted Swords', J.A.A.S., vol. XII, no. 1 (March 1986), pp. 10-12, pls. VII and VIII

Additional information

This sale is now finished. If you are interested in consigning in future sales, please contact the specialist department. If you have queries about lots purchased in this sale, please contact customer services.
Buyers' Obligations
ALL BIDDERS MUST AGREE THAT THEY HAVE READ AND UNDERSTOOD BONHAMS' CONDITIONS OF SALE AND AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THEM, AND AGREE TO PAY THE BUYER'S PREMIUM AND ANY OTHER CHARGES MENTIONED IN THE NOTICE TO BIDDERS. THIS AFFECTS THE BIDDERS LEGAL RIGHTS.
If you have any questions about the Conditions of Sale, please contact your nearest client services team.
From 28 June 2025, the import into the EU of non-EU property of a certain age (and in some categories above a certain value) is subject to additional requirements. Under the relevant EU Regulation, it is the Buyer's sole responsibility to assess whether any Lot meets the criteria for import into the EU. The refusal of any required Import Licence or Importer Statement, or any delay in obtaining such Licence or Statement shall not give rise to the rescission or cancellation of any Sale, nor allow any delay in making full payment for the Lot.
Buyers' Premium and Charges
For all Sales categories, buyer's premium excluding Cars, Motorbikes, Wine, Whisky and Coin & Medal sales, will be as follows:
Buyer's Premium Rates
28% on the first £40,000 of the hammer price;
27% of the hammer price of amounts in excess of £40,000 up to and including £800,000;
21% of the hammer price of amounts in excess of £800,000 up to and including £4,500,000;
and 14.5% of the hammer price of any amounts in excess of £4,500,000.
A 3rd party bidding platform fee of 4% of the Hammer Price for Buyers using the following bidding platforms will be added to the invoices of successful Buyers for auctions starting on or after 6th July 2024 – Invaluable; Live Auctioneers; The Saleroom; Lot-tissimo.
VAT at the current rate of 20% will be added to the Buyer's Premium and charges excluding Artists Resale Right.
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